Review on The Hop Pole

Situated just outside Bath city centre between the River Avon and Royal Victoria Park, the Hop Pole is one of a clutch of nine forward-looking pubs owned and run by Bath Ales independent brewery in Bristol.

The interior is fitted out in Bath Ales house style with lots of tongue-and-groove woodwork and the pub boasts a superbly restored beer garden, which adjoins the restaurant.

At lunchtime you call in for something simple like pork and leek sausages with mash, but it's worth delving into the full menu. Here you might see starters like pan-fried fillet of mackerel with beetroot and horseradish salad or home-cured bresaola, as well as main courses ranging from saddle of wild rabbit stuffed with black pudding on garlic mash alongside a confit leg on Savoy cabbage to grilled fillet of John Dory on butternut squash caponata. Puddings could be homely (rhubarb crumble) or modish (Amaretto pannacotta with pistachio ice cream).

The brewery's own cask ales (dispensed in slender, elegant glasses) are supported by organic cider, Continental bottled beers and a concise, affordable wine list with half-a-dozen by the glass.

The Hop Pole

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